This paper is the first in a series from the Kashmir Initiative Group (KIG), providing a background to the Kashmir context. The paper reflects on the current landscape in the region, identifies internal and external challenges and opportunities, and offers some suggested points of action in response to these. KIG will produce four policy briefs over the next year based on four issues identified in this paper:

In this interview with Diario 15 (Bucaramanga, Colombia) Kristian Herbolzheimer, Director of Conciliation Resources' Colombia programme, reflects on opportunities for peace in Colombia based on international trends and developments. He suggests the need to acknowledge and build on multiple and parallel paths to peace that can and need to work even in the absence of a formal negotiating table.

Almost ten years on from the official end of wars in Sierra Leone (2002) and Liberia (2003), attention is shifting from post-war peacebuilding to longer-term development. What headway has been made? What challenges lie ahead? And what lessons that can be learnt?

Displaced communities are an essential component in conflict resolution and yet their own opinions are often ignored by policy makers. Conciliation Resources' policy brief aims to address this gap with reference to the Georgian–Abkhaz conflict.

Displaced communities are an essential component in conflict resolution and yet their own opinions are often ignored by policy makers. Conciliation Resources' policy brief aims to address this gap with reference to the Georgian-Abkhaz conflict.